‘Can’t handle pressure’ – Graeme Souness tears into Anthony Martial after Man Utd flop… and aims another dig at Pogba
GRAEME SOUNESS has blasted Anthony Martial for not “handling the pressure” at Manchester United.
And the Scot also aimed another dig at Paul Pogba by claiming he “picks and chooses” when to play.
Martial, 26, is back at United following an underwhelming loan spell at Sevilla where he scored just once in 12 games.
He netted just eight times in the previous 18 months at Old Trafford.
However, Erik ten Hag looked to have made Martial his No1 striker before injury struck ahead of the opening day defeat to Brighton.
It remains unclear how long the Frenchman is out for, leaving Ten Hag with a dilemma over wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Souness has warned the new United boss that Martial should not be relied on.
The former player and manager-turned-pundit reckons Martial is “too hit or miss” to lead United’s line.
And in a dig at ex-Red Devil Pogba, who Souness has previously criticised, the Scot added that Martial was another footballer who has quality but only decides to show it on his terms.
Souness told TalkSport: “In United’s case, they’ve not really recruited any game changers.
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“When you are talking about ‘we are going to miss Martial’, how many opportunities is that young man going to get to be a Manchester United player?
“He’s proven already to me he’s not for Man United. He can’t deal with the pressure of playing at Man United.
“They are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are in a cup final every time they go out and play a game of football.
“As Liverpool are, as Chelsea are, as Man City are. Welcome to the big league.
These players are not up for that, they’re not up for the fight
Graeme Souness
“It’s a bit like Pogba. I see both of them and I see players in them and qualities that few players possess.
“But it’s on their terms and they pick and choose when they use it.
“When you play for a big club you cannot be like that. When you are at a big club you play in a cup final every week.
“These players are not up for that, they’re not up for the fight. There’s not good being a great player in training or a great player once every six or seven games.
“You’re at a big club because you want to win things and want to be challenging all the time.
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“In basic terms, they are dodgy. They are not people you can rely on, end of.
“I don’t think you can rely on Martial any more, not that you ever could. He’s been far too hit or miss.”
